The Heroes of WWII and the Cold War

From decorated admirals to mess stewards to blacksmiths to infants, the Cemetery and Columbarium hold the remains of a diverse array of individuals. Their lives tell the history of the US Navy and the Naval Academy. Click to view a map of the Cemetery indicating the locations of these notable monuments.

Arleigh Burke, Earnst King, Edward Beach, Crowe and Stockdale

Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King (1878-1956) NA 1901 was Commander in Chief of the U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations during World War II. Fleet Admiral King is the only five-star admiral at the Cemetery. His monument proudly proclaims this distinction. Section 6

A forty-two year veteran, Admiral Arleigh A. Burke (1901-1996) NA '23 served as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for three two-year terms, making him the longest serving CNO. Burke's monument depicts the USS Arleigh Burke, DDG-51, the first in a class of guided missile destroyers named for him. Section 8

The lone grave of Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr. (1918-2002) NA '39 is appropriately located in front of Beach Hall, named in honor of him and his father, Captain Edward L. Beach, Sr. (1867-1943) NA 1888. In 1960, the younger Beach was the Commanding Officer of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Triton when it sailed submerged around the world in a record-setting 84 days. Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr. authored numerous books including Run Silent, Run Deep, a classic novel on submarine warfare. Section 10